BAGUIO CITY - A police officer has filed criminal charges against a taxi driver who nearly ran him over on New Year's Eve.

Patrolman Julius Walang filed charges of attempted homicide, direct assault, disobedience to an agent or person in authority, violation of the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, and unjust vexation against taxi driver Jones Buclay before the Baguio City Prosecutor's Office on Monday.

• SC’s OCA looks into incident of judge who helped release drunk taxi driver

Walang said he had flagged down Buclay and cited him for illegal parking. But instead of properly stopping, the driver allegedly drove towards the officer.

The driver was allegedly drunk at the time.

“Susubaybayan po natin ang kasong ito para po hanggang sa huli ay makamit natin ang karampatang hustisya,” Walang said.

(We will monitor this case until we get justice.)

The Baguio City Police Office is also preparing documents to be submitted to the Supreme Court for the possible investigation of a judge who allegedly intervened to let Buclay off.

Police said Judge Robert Mabalot tried to help the drunk taxi driver evade complaints.

“We have nothing personal against the judge. We also want to be able to practice our profession, law enforcement, again 'yun nga request lang, free from harm sana (our only request is that it will be free from harm),” BCPO Director Col. Allen Rae Co explained.

Police verification showed Mabalot is Buclay's brother-in-law and that his wife owns the cab involved in the incident.

The judge has opted not to issue a new statement regarding the case.

• SC’s OCA looks into incident of judge who helped release drunk taxi driver

- report from Maira Wallis, ABS-CBN News